Descriptions

This contribution employs a „fish chain‟ approach or ocean to plate analysis to examine key market drivers affecting Northern Gulf cod fisheries recovery since their collapse in the early 1990s. Drawing upon the backward bending supply model of fisheries; secondary data was compiled and analyzed for the pre- and post-collapse periods focusing on demand and supply factors, predator-prey relationship, catch by key species, landed value, price setting, chain actors, socio-economic networks and trade flows. Using semi-structured interviews, key stakeholders along the supply chain were also asked to draw upon their experiences to inform cod recovery options and the viability of the fishing industry. Preliminary results suggest that the post-collapse operational range of the cod fish chain is shorter, with poor access to raw materials, lower production value due to two moratoria, and reduction in quotas for stock recovery. Cod production has evolved from predominantly producer-driven chains that processed frozen cod blocks destined for US markets, to consumer-driven chains that seek fresh cod and fillets for niche markets and local consumption. In addition, there has been a shift in target species from lower value groundfish species to higher value shellfish species post-collapse. These shifts in production in the absence of sufficiently strong institutional mechanisms for effective fisheries rebuilding have economic implications for backward bending supply and resource sustainability. Hence, future prospects for the Northern Gulf fisheries depend on implementing governance mechanisms to support multispecies rebuilding approaches, stakeholder collaboration on fisheries policies along the fish chain, in addition to marketing initiatives.